Rob Goodspeed's blog

A “Modern” Stadium for D.C.

The Post reported today on what the new stadium the city is constructing for the Nationals will look like. Here’s part of the description:

The stadium, which will be along the Anacostia River in near Southeast, features an exterior wall largely made of glass and broken up by limestone portals, according to city sources who have seen the drawings. Aspects of the design create a translucent quality, offering fans inside views of the surrounding neighborhood and teasing those outside with glimpses of game activities.

People who have seen the working version say the ballpark will open to the northeast and afford views of the Capitol — but only from a limited number of upper-deck seats and the press box.

Councilmember Jack Evans is still trying to argue for a “traditional” brick stadium, but I think a minimalist contemporary design could work. The design described in the article — angular, with lots of glass — sounds a bit like the building Mike wrote about on DCist in February now under construction at 22nd Street and M Streets Northwest the developer is now calling 22 West. (See a variety of renderings here.)